On Sunday 9 March, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that she would shortly be convening a “Security College” at which the 27 European Commissioners will discuss the cross-cutting security issues facing the European Union.
“In the next weeks, I will convene the first-ever Security College; this will ensure that the College members receive regular updates on security developments”, said Mrs von der Leyen, giving the press an update on the first 100 days of her mandate. These meetings, which will be convened as often as necessary, will cover external and internal security, energy, defence and research, international trade and foreign interference.
According to Ms von der Leyen, it is only by having “a clear and in-depth understanding of the threats” that the Commission will be able to “effectively contribute to collective security”.
Ms von der Leyen has promised to act swiftly and to present, before the European Council meeting on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March, the legislative proposals designed to put into practice the ‘REARM Europe’ package approved by the European Council last Thursday (see EUROPE 13594/1). She was questioned on several occasions about the possibility of exploring other avenues of a public nature than granting loans to Member States guaranteed by the EU budget to finance investments in the military field. “No option has been ruled out”, she said, stressing that any decision would ultimately be taken by the Member States.
One option validated by the EU27 concerns the activation of the ‘national escape clause’ to allow a Member State to deviate from the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact in order to deal with exceptional circumstances (see EUROPE 13580/6). This clause will be “triggered in a very controlled manner, proportionate and time-limited” and with a strong focus on the situation in each country, the leader stated. Nevertheless, increasing defence investment to 1.5% of national GDP would release “an enormous sum”, she added.
On Monday 10 March, the Commission spokesman responsible for budgetary issues, Balazs Ujvari, mentioned that the Commission was currently considering activating the Pact’s ‘national escape clause’ for a period of “four years ".
United States. Asked about the evolution of transatlantic ties - as the Trump administration reverses US aid to Ukraine, draws closer to the Kremlin, openly supports the Europhobic far right in Europe and prepares to launch a trade war against the EU - Ms von der Leyen admitted that ironclad historic commitments were being undermined and that the EU’s fundamental values - democracy, freedom and the Rule of law - were “under threat”, without naming the US President directly.
However, she said that under no circumstances is there a need to ‘de-risk’ the EU’s relationship with the United States, as the EU is doing in its relations with China, since Europeans’ relations with these two major powers are “completely different”. The United States remains our “ally”, she stressed.
In the face of major geopolitical uncertainties, the President of the Commission presented the European Union as an “open” continent, ready to forge political and economic partnerships around the world. This is borne out by the renewed discussions with India (see EUROPE 13590/1) and those finalised with Mercosur. “We offer stability and predictability, which are invaluable in this day and age”, she said.
On the subject of economic competitiveness, another priority of the ‘von der Leyen II’ Commission, the European leader listed the projects launched to stimulate competitiveness while decarbonising the economy, such as the ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ (see EUROPE 13588/1). Other strategic dialogues will follow those with the agricultural, automotive and steel industries, she announced. And to promise to act quickly and firmly to reduce the administrative burden, without reneging on the EU’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
In addition, Ms von der Leyen indicated that the EU institution will be presenting its proposals for setting up an ‘Investment and Savings Union’ sometime in March. And she stressed that it is “an absolute must” to stop importing Russian gas into the EU.
To see Ms von der Leyen’s introductory statement: https://aeur.eu/f/ftn (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)